Water Vision @ 2047
26-08-2023
11:59 AM
What’s in today’s article?
- Why in News?
- What is the Status of Water under the Constitution of India?
- What is the Importance of a Critical Resource like Water?
- News Summary Related to Conference on Water
Why in News?
- Addressing the opening session of first All India Annual State Ministers’ Conference on Water, the PM stated that it is the responsibility of all to make water a subject of collaboration, coordination, and cooperation between states.
- The theme of the 1st Conference (organised by the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti in Bhopal, MP) is ‘Water Vision @ 2047’.
What is the Status of Water under the Constitution of India?
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Schedule VII of the Indian Constitution
- Entry 17 of the State List (List II), deals with ‘Water’ which includes - Water supply, irrigation, canal, drainage, embankments, Water storage and Water power.
- Entry 56 of Union List (List I) empowers the Central Government to regulate and develop inter-state rivers and river valleys to the extent declared by Parliament in the public interest.
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Article 21 of the Constitution
- The constitutional right to access to clean drinking water can be drawn from the right to food, the right to clean environment and the right to health, all of which have been protected under the broad heading of the RIGHT TO LIFE.
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Current status of Water under the Indian Constitution
- Hence, for all practical purposes, unless there is an emergency situation, ‘Water’ continues to be a state subject.
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What is the Importance of a Critical Resource like Water?
- India has 18% of the world’s population but only 4% of its water resources (total 4,000 BCM through rain, glaciers, etc., out of which only half is usable), which is a fast-depleting natural resource as a result of global warming and wastage.
- Currently, states continue to fight over sharing of river water and as tribunals have taken their own time to settle disputes, people of the concerned states continue to suffer.
- Central Water Commission (CWC), the apex Civil Engineering Organisation is well equipped to standardise various issues. However, ‘Water’ being a state subject, the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti, through CWC can at best play an advisory role.
- Hence, there have been calls from several quarters to move ‘Water’ from the State list in the Constitution to the Concurrent list for the effective resolution of disputes.
News Summary Related to Conference on Water:
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About the All-India Annual State Ministers’ Conference on Water
- Ministers holding the portfolios of water resources, public health engineering department (PHED), and irrigation from all states and Union Territories are participating in the conference.
- The objective of the conference is to deliberate on Water Vision for India for the next 25 years as part of the larger plan of India@2047.
- The forum aims to bring together key policymakers for debating and deliberating on ways to optimally utilise water resources for holistic economic and human development in a sustainable manner.
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Highlights of the PM’s address at the Conference
- He suggested the states adopt the Centre’s Namami Gange Mission as a template and start similar campaigns for the conservation of rivers.
- Citing an example of Swachh Bharat Mission, he asked the states to involve the public in the campaigns related to water conservation.
- He laid thrust on natural farming, as the positive effects of water conservation have been noticed in places where natural farming is practised.
- He also highlighted the ‘Per Drop More Crop’ campaign that began under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY) and informed that more than 70 lakh hectares of land in the country have been brought under micro-irrigation so far.
- He asked the gram panchayats to prepare an action plan for the next five years where a roadmap ranging from water supply to cleanliness and waste management is considered.
- He also highlighted the importance of the circular economy in the field of water conservation and called for developing a water testing system to ensure the quality of water.
Q1) What is the Status of Water under the Constitution of India?
Entry 17 of the State List (List II), deals with ‘Water’ which includes - Water supply, irrigation, canal, drainage, embankments, Water storage and Water power. Hence, for all practical purposes, unless there is an emergency situation, ‘Water’ continues to be a state subject.
Q2) Should Water be moved to Concurrent List?
Currently, states continue to fight over sharing of river water and as tribunals have taken their own time to settle disputes, people of the concerned states continue to suffer. Hence, there have been calls from several quarters to move ‘Water’ to the Concurrent list for the effective resolution of disputes.
Source: All India Annual State Ministers’ Conference on Water: PM Modi lays thrust on the need for states’ efforts for water conservation | TH | PIB | ToI